Primary finding
Probable cause
The dual student's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during landing, and the flight instructor's failure to properly supervise the flight.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The certified flight instructor and dual student were practicing touch and go landings at the airport. During an attempted landing, the dual student released the flight controls during the landing roll. The certified flight instructor did not regain control of the airplane before it veered off the right side of the runway. The airplane rolled down a ravine into a wooded area, and collided with trees.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 25, 1996, at 1430 central daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N9167T, veered off the right side of runway 23 during an attempted touch and go landing at the Bessemer Airport, Bessemer, Alabama. The flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane received substantial damage; the certified flight instructor and student were not injured. The flight departed Birmingham, Alabama, at 1330. According to the operator, the certified flight instructor and dual student were practicing touch and go landings at the Bessemer Airport. During an attempted landing, the flight instructor stated that the dual student released the flight controls during the landing roll. The certified flight instructor did not regain control of the airplane before it veered off the right side of the runway. The airplane rolled down a ravine into a wooded area, and collided with trees. No mechanical problems were reported by the pilot with the airplane. -